Water control device

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an automatic flush guide and more specifically pertains to a guiding attachment adapted for mounting in a toilet flush tank upon the overflow tube in order to provide an improved guiding means and therefor by enhancing the efficiency of operation of the flush valve ball member.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Michael Grnziosi Hudson County, NJ. 07302 [21] Appl. No. 733,578 [22] Filed May 31,1968 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 [54] WATER CONTROL DEVICE 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 4/57 [51] Int. Cl E03d 1/34 [50] Field of Search 4/56, 57

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,593,833 7/1926 Lyons 4/57 1,991,907 2/1935 Platt 4/57 2,117,629 5/1938 Rosenthal.. 4156 2,669,729 2/1954 Stader 4/57 Primary Examiner- Laverne D. Geiger Graziosi Derryberry Assistant Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg Attorney-Bertram Frank ABSTRACT: The invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an automatic flush guide and more specifically pertains to a guiding attachment adapted for mounting in a toilet flush tank upon the overflow tube in order to provide an improved guiding means and therefor by enhancing the efficiency of operation of the flush valve ball member.

PATENTEDJUL sum 3,590,396

F/Ej

INVEN'I ()R.

MICHAEL GRAZIOSI wwM ATTORNEY WATER CONTROL DEVICE flush valve ball to control the water in a'toilet flush tank. My invention concerns certain improvements in the flush valve ball, and guide mechanism for which a U.S. Pat. was granted me Apr. 26, I955, No. 2,706,818 was granted Apr. 26, 1955 in which a tapered flush valve ball, a rod, a lever, an adjustable telescopically guide means, and a flat horizontal guide member extending along the top of the flush ballvalve was employed. 4

In the present invention l utilize other means for the engagement of the guide elements in the operation of the lifting of the flush valve ball which is an improvement on the old Douglas type flush valve and lift wires, which so frequently become out of alignment and cause sticking and inoperativeness of the valve member; the annoying nuisance of water leakage which is primarily due to faulty seating of valve ball in valve seats of prior art.

With the lowering of the water level in parts of the nation and when the supply is inadequate and limited, or where the water shortages are caused by draughts and with the rising costs of metered water, it is the purpose of this invention and desire to exercise the means for the conservation of water by eliminating a major and specific cause for a running toilet.

The specific object of this invention is to improve the action of flush valve balls of toilet flush tanks by providing a means for guiding the motion of valve ball with respect to the valve seat with a view to insuring the proper and efficient seating of the valve ball upon its seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve ball guide in conformity with the preceding object which may be applied to existing conventional flush tanks and their equipment without the necessity for alteration of the conventional structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guide attachment in conformity with the preceding object which may be readily vertically adjusted and supported upon the overflow tube, and also may be laterally adjusted with respect to the overflow tube, for the purpose of centering the guide means upon the vertical axis of the flush valve seat. However, it is generally well known from actual experience that the guide bore does not insure the proper seating of the valve member upon its seat.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a guide means in accordance with the preceding objects in which a pivotable, laterally extending side arm imparts a positive guiding action to a vertically movable valve ball member to efiect a foolproof seal in the tank after flushing.

Yet another object of the invention to be specifically enumerated herein, is to provide a pair of flush valve ball guiding devices in conformity with the above mentioned objects in which one device is constructed out of cast metal which may be applied to and fixed on existing conventional flush tanks and their equipment by means of knurled thumb screws.

The other device is a modification, and is constructed out of pressed spring metal, and may be adapted also to existing conventional flush tanks and their equipment by means of a frictional clamping engagement with the overflow tube and frictional adjustment of flush valve hall.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top and front fragmentary perspective view of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is shown a perspective left side view of the pressed frictional clamping collar split top,

FIG. 3 is a perspective top and back view of the pressed frictional cylindrical clamping member provided with a split,

FIG. 6 is a bottom face view of the pressed frictional sleeve showing the split joint,

FIG. 7 is a top view modification of the device shown in FIG. I, and

FIG. 8 is a top and front fragmentary perspective view of a modification of the device shown in FIG. 1.

Reference is now made specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein the numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views. Any suitable hand operated mechanism may be employed to raise the valve from its seat as for instance, the conventional type shown in FIG. 1 having a handle 1A fixed to a shaft (not shown) which is connected to a trip lever 2A having an offset portion 3A being centered over the vertical axis of valve seat 24. An enlarged aperture 4A is provided at the free end of trip lever 2A for reception of an enlarged curved hook 5 which is integral with clip 613, its lower end is folded upon itself in close proximity forming a loop with the end curving outwardly. The loop may have a small aperture 6A, smaller than the diameters of the balls or beads to accommodate wire connectors 7C between the two adjacent balls or beads of the flexible bead chain 7 into a tiny opening 6D whereby when applying pressure on adjacent balls or heads will force the connector through the tiny opening 6D in the center of the loop for operation of the valve ball member 23. Any flexible cord may be used if desired functioning substantially in the same manner as the chain.

A lower spring clip 8 is formed identical to the upper spring clip 6E with the exception it is formed smaller but functions in the same manner, the upper spring clip 65 is formed larger since it must operate a larger trip lever 2A. The hook'9 formed in lower spring clip.8 is received into an aperture 10 provided on a narrow extending free end 11 of pressed side arm 12 for operation of valve ball member 23. The pressed laterally extending side arm 12 is provided with a longitudinal slot 13 for passage therethrough of a screw bolt 19, said screw bolt 19 is first received into an aperture 15 provided in a frictional sleeve 14 then passes between cutaway spaced portions 16 and 16A provided in top and bottom face walls, further also into aperture 18 provided in a pressed cup shape member 17. This member 17 is integral with the frictional sleeve 14 and the screw olt 19 is finally received into a metallic tapped spud or anchorage embedded in a tapered perpendicular FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of that shown 'in drawing member 21 which is formed integral with flush valve ball 23. The aperture 18 is formed a little smaller than the head of screw bolt 19 in order to prevent the head of screw bolt 19 from pulling out from cup shape member 17.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the flush valve ball 23 and 23A are formed somewhat flattened at the top forming a series of concentric steps 22 and 22A. The flush valve balls 23 and 23A are highly elastic and flexible so as to conform readily to a valve seat, and is provided with an opening 23C in order to provide buoyancy, the bottom face is formed into a half circle shape which makes it readily cooperative to seat various diameters which provides a water seal by pressure over the crown or rim of valve seat 24 and which requires a minimum 7 of engagement surface with the valve seat.

In FIG. I, there is shown a laterally extending pressed side arm 12 which is pivotally mounted by means of a rivet 28A on a pair of bifurcated anns 27 depending from a pressed collar clamp 268 which has a generally circular cross sectional in a horizontal plane. The pressed laterally extending side arm 12 is provided with an inner twisted portion 12A, a longitudinal slot 13 is provided in the pressed laterally extending side arm 12 for passage therethrough of a screw bolt 19 which is held into the cup shaped member 17 provided in pressed frictional sleeve 14 for reception into a tapped spud 20 thereby locking pressed frictional sleeve 14 to tapped spud 20 provided in valve ball 23. It will be noted that by adjusting the pressed frictional sleeve 14 with respect to the pressed side arm 12 valve ball 23 can be adjusted and moved laterally from side to side and held in a fixed and locked position by the pressed frictional sleeve 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an offset or projection portion 25 and 25A, integral with a valve seat fitting 24 and 24A to the front face of pressed split clamping collar or member 268. The clamping collar 26B is adapted to be slipped over the upper end of overflow tube 26 by slightly squeezing offset ears 30 and 32, as shown in FIG. 2, respectively together, or by applying rearward force on the pair of forwardly and rearwardly extending ears 30 and 32 so as to expand or enlarge the central coiled portion 35 as shown in FIG. 2 and 3.

The pressed clamping member 268 may be mounted so that flush valve ball 23 lies over the vertical axis of valve seat 24 as shown in FIG. 1 before releasing the same for frictional or clamping engagement with the overflow tube 26.

In FIGS. 1, 2, and are shown openings 29 and 29A formed from one of the pressed bifurcated arms 27, said opening 29 allows more flexibility to pressed split clamping collar 268. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 the opening 29A, pressed from one of the bifurcated arms 27, allows more flexibility to the pressed split clamping collar 268. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 are shown the split 34 formed on pressed split clamping collar 263. Here the collar is first pressed and then rolled to form its shape and said split permits the expanding or enlargement of the central coiled portion 35 of the clamping member 268 when the device is positioned or adjustments are to be made.

In FIG. 6 is shown a bottom view of the split joint 36 formed on the back face of the pressed frictional sleeve 14, while in FIG. 4 is shown a back face view of the overlap split joint 36 of pressed frictional sleeve 14. The top face outer ends are formed being bent downwardly and upwardly this causes frictional or clamping engagement with the pressed side arm 12 in order to regulate the adjustment of valve ball 23 so thatit lies in the vertical axis of valve seat fitting 24. The bottom face outer ends of pressed frictional sleeve 14 are formed flat having a pressed cup shape member 17 centrally located on said bottom face wall with an aperture 18 formed therein which is constructed a little smaller than the head of screw bolt 19 in order to prevent it from pulling out from the pressed cup shaped member l'faFinally the screw bolt 19 is received into a tapped aperture provided into a metallic spud 20 imbedded into valve ball 23 thereby fixing and locking the valve ball member and frictional sleeve together. Cutaway spaced portions 16 and 16A are formed comprising a rectangular opening of slightly less in diameter than the pressed side arm 12 passing therethrough in mounted position.

The stamped clamping collar member 268 may be constructed out of spring metal material which is noncorrosive, all the elements may be constructed out of noncorrosive material. The pressed side arm 12 is provided having a narrow extension end 1 l with an aperture adjacent to the end thereof for the reception ofa curved hook 9 provided in the spring clip 8, said spring clip 8 is formed having self in close proximity forming a loop with the end curving outwardly. The loop is provided with a small aperture 8A smaller than the diameter of the balls or beads to accommodate wire connectors 7C between the two adjacent balls or beads of the flexible chain 7 into tiny opening 49. When application of pressure on adjacent balls or beads forces the connector through the tiny opening 49 in the center of the loop for operating of the valve member 23 by means of curved hook 5 which is connected to the usual trip lever operator 2A which causes the valve ball 23 to be lifted off its seat 24 when actuated for discharge of the tank and flushing action of the toilet bowl.

Elimination of mounting and adjustment screws is one of the advantages of the present invention just described over that of prior art and the relatively unrestrained action provided by virtue of the flush valve ball member being freely pivotable upon a separate mounting whereby adjustments can be made without the need of screws whatsoever. In assembly the clamping member 268 can be simply squeezed and slipped over the overflow tube rather than being pulled or dragged therealong against the friction which is relied on to keep the same in place when finally brought in position, making such assembly very simple and easy.

Should the valvemember become worn the entire assembly need not be replaced but only the valve member. The device just described can be mounted in a flush tank and can be regulated and adjusted by friction only, without the need of screws, and its entire construction throughout is of pressed noncorrosive metal material.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 7 and 8, shows a cast clamping collar 37 for mounting around the overflow tube 26A. The cast clamping collar is relatively adjustable with respect to overflow tube 26A by means of a knurled head thumb screw member 39 so that the laterally extending cast side arm 43 having flush valve ball member 23A attached thereto can be raised or lowered as desired. A pair of cast laterally extending open arms 38 are integral with cast clamping collar 37 which are provided with a pair of apertures adjacent to the ends thereof. The left arm indicated by numeral 47 is screw tapped for reception of the threaded portion of knurled head thumb screw 39, while the right arm 47A (FIG. 7) is provided with an aperture adjacent to the end thereof for passage of the threaded portion of the knurled head thumb screw 39.

The cast clamping collar 37 is provided with a pair of bifurcated arms 40 having apertures adjacent to the ends thereof, and are formed at right angle to the extending open arms 38 of the cast clamping collar 37. Into the pair of apertured bifurcated arms 40 is received the inner end of shoulder 42 which is disposed vertically and at right angle to the laterally extending cast side arm 43. The inner end of shoulder 42 is provided with an aperture which mates with a pair of apertures provided in bifurcated arms 40 and the same are fixed and locked together by means of a rivet 41. Rivet 41 acts as a pivot point allowing flush valve ball 23A to swing into valve seat fitting 24A whenever handle 1 is actuated.

Laterally extending cast side arm 43 is provided with a longitudinal slot 44 for passage therethrough of the knurled head thumb screw 39A and is finally received into a metallic tapped spud or anchorage 20A which is embedded in flush valve ball 23A. After flush valve ball 23A has been lined up and adjusted into position on the vertical axis of valve seat fitting 24A, the knurled head thumb screw 39A is tightened on to longitudinal slot 44 provided on laterally extending cast side arm 43.

A narrow extension end is formed on the outer end 45 of the laterally extending cast side arm 43 having an aperture 46 adjacent the end thereof through which is received the curved hook 9A of spring clip 8C. The upper end of said spring clip 8C is provided with a small aperture 88 smaller than the diameters of the balls or beads of flexible chain 7A to accommodate wire connectors 78 between the two adjacent balls or beads of the flexible chain 7A into a tiny opening 48 whereby when application of pressure on adjacent balls or beads will force the connector through the tiny opening 48 provided in the center of the small spring slip 8C. The small aperture 88 is formed in the loop portion of spring clip BC by means of folding rounded spring metallic material upon itself in close proximity with the end curving outwardly in order to ease the application and locking of the flexiblechain therein.

The upper end of spring clip 6 is provided with a large curved hook 5A for reception into an aperture 4 formed on offset 3 of trip lever 2, said trip lever 2 is connected to a shaft (not shown) while in turn it is connected to handle 1. The lower part of spring clip 6 is folded upon itself in close proximity forming a small aperture 63 in the loop portion with the end curving outwardly forming a tiny opening 6C to accommodate wire connectors 78 between the adjacent balls .or beads of the flexible chain 7A. In FIG. 8 it will be noted that the flexible chain 7A is secured and locking into small apertures 8B and 63 formed into small lower spring clip 8C and upper larger spring clip 6.

Flush valve ball 23A is provided having an opening 238 on the lower face wall in order to provide buoyancy, the top face wall is formed somewhat flattened having a series of concentric steps 22A, while the bottom face wall is formed into a half circle shape which makes it easy for adaption to seats of various diameters which provides a water seal.

The spring clips as described may be formed out of noncorrosive wire spring material, the curved hooks being twisted at right angle vertically to the chain locking loop portions. This is an essential for the insertion of the curved hooks in their proper places, and for the insertion of flexible chain in the loop portion of spring clips. If the curved hook and loop portion of spring clip were not formed at right angle to each other it would be unable to adapt them in their proper places. The invention just described can be mounted in a flush tank and operated, regulated and locked therein by means of knurled head thumb screws, and its construction throughout is cast noncorrosive metal material.

By my invention 1 eliminate the aggravation of handle jiggling, the necessity of resetting leaking flush valve ball members and the consequence annoyance and loss of running water. Further, there is effected by my invention, considerable economy in water and there is also eliminated the wear and tear by defective operation of the flush valve ball which in time causes wear and excessive loss of amounts of water in the seat outlet piping. While a preferred embodiment of my invention has herein been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that modification as to form, arrangement of parts and use of materials may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

1 claim:

1. In a flush tank having a vertical overflow tube and a water outlet means, a clamping collar connected to said overflow tube, a side arm vertically pivotally connected to said collar and extended laterally therefrom, said side arm having an aperture at the narrow extending free end thereof, a frictional sleeve mounted on said side arm and releasably placeable at various positions along the longitudinal axis of said side arm, a flush ball valve being provided with a half circle bottom portion connected to said frictional sleeve and depending therefrom, a valve seat surrounding said water outlet means and having a projection horizontally remote from said valve seat, said projection supporting said overflow tube in its vertical position, said flush ball engaging said valve seat for preventing water from flowing through said outlet means, means connected to the free end of said side arm and raising said side arm so that said flush ball is disengaged from said valve seat thereby permitting water to flow from said flush tank through said water outlet means, the invention comprising said clamping collar being provided with a generally circular cross section in a horizontal plane and having a vertical split in the wall thereof opposite said side arm, said split permitting the expansion of said collar so that it may slide over said overflow tube and be adjustably positioned thereon.

2. The water flow control device according to claim 1 wherein said clamping collar further comprises a generally circular cross section having a pair of ears which extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom in a plane substantially at right angles to said longitudinal axis of said side arm, said ears being integral with said clamping collar and adapted to receive pressure to expand the inside diameter of said circular cross section of said clamping collar to permit the same to be moved along the longitudinal axis of said overflow tube, and a pair or vertically oriented arms extending laterally and to the same side from said clamping collar and integral therewith pivotally supporting said side arm between said pair of arms.

3. The water flow control device according to claim 2 wherein each of said arms have an opening adjacent thereto to provide additional flexibility of said clamping collar so that when pressure is applied to the ears the clamping collar may be opened with relative ease to slide over said overflow tube and move therealong.

4. The water flow control device according to claim 3 wherein said side arm is connected between said pair of arms, said side arm comprising a flat bar twisted along its longitudinal axis through an angle of to present one of the horizontal flat surfaces thereof along the middle portion of said arm toward said flush ball and vertical flat parallel surfaces at the pivot end, said flat surface having a slot disposed therein so that said flush ball depending from said side arm may be positioned variously along the longitudinal axis of said side arm to seat over the center of said outlet means.

5. The water flow control device according to claim 4 wherein a frictional sleeve is adapted to fit over said middle portion of said side arm to be moved therealong to adjustable position said flush ball over said outlet means, said flush ball being connected to and depending from said frictional sleeve. 

1. In a flush tank having a vertical overflow tube and a water outlet means, a clamping collar connected to said overflow tube, a side arm vertically pivoTally connected to said collar and extended laterally therefrom, said side arm having an aperture at the narrow extending free end thereof, a frictional sleeve mounted on said side arm and releasably placeable at various positions along the longitudinal axis of said side arm, a flush ball valve being provided with a half circle bottom portion connected to said frictional sleeve and depending therefrom, a valve seat surrounding said water outlet means and having a projection horizontally remote from said valve seat, said projection supporting said overflow tube in its vertical position, said flush ball engaging said valve seat for preventing water from flowing through said outlet means, means connected to the free end of said side arm and raising said side arm so that said flush ball is disengaged from said valve seat thereby permitting water to flow from said flush tank through said water outlet means, the invention comprising said clamping collar being provided with a generally circular cross section in a horizontal plane and having a vertical split in the wall thereof opposite said side arm, said split permitting the expansion of said collar so that it may slide over said overflow tube and be adjustably positioned thereon.
 2. The water flow control device according to claim 1 wherein said clamping collar further comprises a generally circular cross section having a pair of ears which extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom in a plane substantially at right angles to said longitudinal axis of said side arm, said ears being integral with said clamping collar and adapted to receive pressure to expand the inside diameter of said circular cross section of said clamping collar to permit the same to be moved along the longitudinal axis of said overflow tube, and a pair or vertically oriented arms extending laterally and to the same side from said clamping collar and integral therewith pivotally supporting said side arm between said pair of arms.
 3. The water flow control device according to claim 2 wherein each of said arms have an opening adjacent thereto to provide additional flexibility of said clamping collar so that when pressure is applied to the ears the clamping collar may be opened with relative ease to slide over said overflow tube and move therealong.
 4. The water flow control device according to claim 3 wherein said side arm is connected between said pair of arms, said side arm comprising a flat bar twisted along its longitudinal axis through an angle of 90* to present one of the horizontal flat surfaces thereof along the middle portion of said arm toward said flush ball and vertical flat parallel surfaces at the pivot end, said flat surface having a slot disposed therein so that said flush ball depending from said side arm may be positioned variously along the longitudinal axis of said side arm to seat over the center of said outlet means.
 5. The water flow control device according to claim 4 wherein a frictional sleeve is adapted to fit over said middle portion of said side arm to be moved therealong to adjustable position said flush ball over said outlet means, said flush ball being connected to and depending from said frictional sleeve. 